Cooling apparatus for cooling beverages and the like



Sept. 10, 1940. c. F. BOESTER. JR 2,214,009

COOLING APPARATUS FOR COOLING BEVERAGES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 26, 1957 AWE/W02 6342/. F. 5055752, JP.

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Patented Sept. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE coonnve APPARATUS roa coomnc BEVER- AGES AND THE LIKE Carl F. Boester, Jr., St. gouis, M01 Application August 26, 1937, Serial No. 160,978

3 Claims.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of cooling bottled beverages, and the like, which is adapted to shorten the time normally required to cool bottled beverages, and the like.

Another object is to provide a method of cooling bottled beverages, and the like, which includes subjecting the same to a moving stream of cool liquid.

Another object is to provide a method of cooling bottled beverages, and the like, which includes continuously circulating a given amount of liquid past bottles and through cooling coils in contlnuous succession.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for cooling bottled beverages, and the like, which is adapted to materially shorten the time normally required to cool such bottledbeverages, and the like.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for cooling bottled beverages, and the like, which includes a cabinet and means for circulating and continuously cooling a liquid which is passed in a continuous stream over bottled beverages, and the like.

Another object is to provide a cabinet cooler which is adapted to shorten the normal cooling time for bottled beverages, and the like, to thereby reduce the required bottle capacity.

Another object is to provide a cabinet cooler which is adapted to cool bottled beverages in a fraction of the time normally required by similar units, which provides a fullunobstructed cabinet for the bottled beverages, and which reduces correspondingly the amount of space required for and the number of bottles required in storage for a given sale factor.

Another object is to provide a cabinet cooler which is sturdy in construction and which does not readily fall into disrepair.

Other objects and advantages will be. apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is arcentral longitudinal section on the line I-I of Fig. 2 of a cabinet constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; and,

, Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing more particularly by reference numerals, Ill indicates generally a cooling cabinet preferably of sheet metal having a cooling chamber l-l defined by side walls l2 and l3, end walls l4 and I5,'and a bottom l6. Surrounding the walls and bottom of the chamber H is insulation I! which is maintained thereagainst by the exterior frame I8 which includes side walls l9 and 20, end walls 2| and 22, and a bottom23. The bottom 23 includes a longitudinally extending centrally disposed dropped portion 24, the purpose of which will be presently 10 described. The dropped portion contains insulation I! also. Legs 25 are attached to the lower four corners of the exterior frame l8 and serve to support the cabinet "I.

The side walls l2 and I3 and the end walls I4 and I5 have a flared portion 26 adjacent the top edges thereof which are connected to inwardly turned flanges 21 of the side walls l9 and and the end walls 2| and 22 to. form a peripheral seat for a cover 28, which is maintained in operative 20 position by hinges 29. The top 28 includes spaced plates 30 and 3| in which is insulation 32. A handle '33 is provided for lifting the cover 28. It is, of course, obvious that the cabinet I0 may be of any suitable configuration and construction.

The end wall [4 is formed to provide an elongated depression 35 which extends substantially across the chamber H. Within the recess 35 is a pipeior hollow member 36 having spaced apertures 31 therein. Similarly, the end wall l5 has a recess 40 in which there is a pipe or hollow member 4| having spaced apertures 42. The pipes 36 and 4t are provided with annular apertured bosses 43 and 44, respectively. Another preferred construction comprises apertures in the straight walls I4 and I5 leading to similarly apertured pipes fixed to the back of the walls i4 and I5. V

A rotary pump 45 is packed in the insulation ll of the dropped portion 24 and is supported by one side wall 46 thereof. A sleeve 48 rigidly fixed to the pump is mounted in a flanged opening t9 formed integral with the wall 46, or comprising a sleeve fixed thereto for the purpose of supporting the pump 45. A rotatable shaft 563 extends through the sleeve 48 and is operatively connected at one end to the vanes of the pump and at the other to a grooved pulley 5|.

Likewise packed within the insulation ll of 5a the dropped portion 24 is an enlarged elongated shell or housing of copper, or the like, of a configuration shown in Fig. 1. Within the housing 55 is a cooling coil 56, the leads 5? and 58 of which pass through apertures 59 and 60 in the 55 housing 55 and iorough an opening 6| in bottom 41 of the dropped portion 24.

The leads 5'! and 58 pass to a compressor 62 located beneath the cabinet I0 and supported upon a base 63. Likewise supported upon the base 63 is a motor 64 which drives the compressor. To the drive shaft 65 of the motor 64 is fllxed a grooved pulley 66 about which and the pulley 5| is disposed a flexible belt 61. The motor 64 therethrough drives the pump 45.

A pipe 10 embedded in the insulation l'l con-' nects the pipe 36 with the pump 45. A short pipe section H connects the pump 45 with one end of the housing 55. A pipe 12 connects the other end of the housing 55 with the pipe 4|. Water 13, or other suitable fluid, fills the pipes 70, H, and 12, the pump45, the housing 55, and the chamber II to a suitable operating depth. Bottled beverages 14, or the like, are disposed within the chamber H and are at least partially covered by the fluid 13. A suitable thermostatic or other control (not shown) is-provided to shut off the compressor 62 and the pump 45 when the water 13 reaches a predetermined low temperature. Individual controls may be provided.

Operation The cooling operation of the instant cooling cabinet is relatively simple. Water, or other suitable fluid, is supplied to the chamber I I until the elements embedded within the insulation I] are filled to capacity and it stands within the chamber to' a predetermined suitable depth. Bottled beverages are disposed in the chamber II in any suitable manner, but are spaced su-fiicientiy to allow the water to flow around individual bottles. The motor 64 is started, which simultaneously starts the pump 45 and the compressor 62. Starting at the pump 45, the water is forced through the pipe H to and about the coil 56 disposed within the housing 55, through the pipe 12 into the pipe 4|, through the apertures 42 of the pipe 4| into the chamber ll, longitudinally of the chamber l I, through the apertures 31 of the pipe 36 into the pipe 36, and through the pipe 10 back to the pump 45. This circulation or flow of the water 13 is continuous, the British thermal units of the articles being cooled being rapidly carried by the water 13 to the coil 56 to which the British thermal units are transferred. It has been found that velocities of from one foot in five seconds to four feet per second within the chamber H are suitable, all other factors remaining equal, for rapidly cooling bottled beverages within the chamber ll.

Inasmuch as the water is supplied to and is taken from the chamber II by the pipes 4| and 36, respectively, the current within the chamber I I extends substantially the full widththereof, a fact which insures moving the water about all of the bottles 14 within the chamber ll. Of course, the size of the holes 31 and 42, the sizes of the pipes 10, II, and 12', the capacity and speed of the pump 45, the capacity of the compressor 62, and the exposed surface of the coil 56 depend upon factors of installation and factors of use. The specific specifications can be readily ascertained for a size of cabinet and a rate of cooling.

It is, of course, fully within the scope of the present invention, and such is contemplated, to feed the water from selectively disposed holes in the bottom l6 and to withdraw the water at the sides or ends or both. The specific manner of passing the water through the chamber ll may be varied considerably.

It is apparent that there has been provided an apparatus and method of cooling bottled beverages, and the like, which is adapted to fulfill all of the objects and advantages sought therefor. It is to be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example and not for purposes of limitation, the invention being limited only by the claims to follow.

What is claimed is:

1. Cooling apparatus comprising a cabinet having a chamber for containing bottled beverages, or the like, a cooling coil located within a housing embedded in insulation disposed beneath the cabinet, a pump embedded in said insulation beneath the cabinet, means for driving the pump, means for maintaining the cooling coil at a predetermined low temperature, connecting means between the chamber, the pump, and the housing, and liquid within the chamber, the connecting means, the pump, and the housing, said pump being adapted to force said liquid in a continuous rapidly moving stream past the coils to lower the temperature thereof and passed the bottles and the beverage therein.

2. Cooling apparatus comprising a cabinet having an elongated chamber having opposed ends, a hollow pipe embedded in each end adjacent the bottom of the chamber and extending substantially the full width thereof, spaced apertures in each pipe; a pump and housed cooling coils embedded in insulation disposed beneath the Il ing, and means for driving the pump to force the fluid in a continuous rapidly moving stream past the cooling coils and through the chamber.

3. A cooling apparatus for bottled beverages, or the like, comprising a cabinet having a closed insulated chamber adapted to receive bottled beverages, or the like, a cooling coil disposed beneath the chamber embedded in the insulation, means for maintaining the cooling coil at a predetermined temperature, a pump within-the insulation beneath the chamber, connecting means between the chamber, the coil, and the pump establishing therewith a continuous passage, liquid filling the coils, the pump and the connecting means and within the chamber, and means to drive the pump to force the liquid through the continuous passage.

CARL F. BOESTER, JR. 

